quick and simple microwave steamed egg recipe
Steamed egg is a very common home-style Korean dish. It’s called gyeran-jjim (계란찜) in Korean, which literally means “steamed egg.” Families often serve it as a side dish (banchan) with rice, soups, and kimchi. It’s considered soft, warm, and gentle on the stomach, so people often eat it when they’re sick, recovering, or just want something soothing. Parents often make it for children or elderly family members because it’s easy to chew and digest.
Traditionally, it’s steamed slowly in a stone bowl (ttukbaegi) on the stove, sometimes with anchovy broth for flavour. The texture turns out fluffy, almost like a savoury custard.
Steamed egg is especially loved as a side dish to balance out spicy meals, soothing the palate with its soft and gentle texture. Traditionally, it’s cooked in a hot stone bowl (ttukbaegi) or steamed in a pot, but at home you can make it much more easily in the microwave. This way, you can adjust the portion to just what you need and enjoy a warm, fluffy steamed egg in minutes without the hassle.
Steamed Egg (Gyeran Jjim) cooked with Microwave
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the eggs: In a microwave-safe bowl (about 2-3 cups in size), whisk the eggs until the yolks and whites are fully combined and slightly frothy.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Gradually pour in the water or broth, whisking continuously. Add the salt, pepper.
- Strain (optional, but recommended for a smoother texture): For an extra smooth custard, pass the egg mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another microwave-safe bowl. This removes any unmixed egg whites or air bubbles.
- Microwave: Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe lid, leaving a small vent. Microwave on medium power (500–600W) for about 2–3 minutes.
- Check and continue: If it's still very liquidly, continue microwaving on 50% power in 30-second to 1-minute intervals until the edges are set and the centre is mostly firm but still slightly jiggly. The total cooking time will vary depending on your microwave's wattage and the size of your bowl, usually ranging from 3-5 minutes.
- Rest and serve: Once cooked, let the steamed egg rest in the microwave for 1 minute to finish setting. Garnish with chopped green onions or chives and drizzle a few drops of sesame oil before serving warm.
Notes
- Low and Slow: Cooking at 50% power prevents the eggs from becoming rubbery or erupting.
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooked eggs can become tough. It’s better to undercook slightly and let it finish setting with residual heat.
- Customize: Feel free to add a tiny bit of chopped carrots, mushrooms, or other finely diced vegetables for extra flavour and texture. Just make sure they are very small pieces so they cook through quickly.
